2011/12 FASHION

A year in fashion is finally over with the September issues wrapping up everything glam of the past year but there have been some very memorable moments.

I decided to take a look back at the most memorable fashion shows of 11'/12' from the drama to the glamour, here is our round up and our favourites.

Continuing from the past year, who can forget the John Galliano debacle thats been dragging on for quite some time but this month Galliano will stand trial for the incident and face a £21,000 fine.

On another note, Dior seemed to be really struggling with his absence and with its first couture show without him was really quite tragic. However, Dior certainly redeemed itself with a beautiful simple and elegant Spring Summer 12' couture collection that rekindled or love and lust for CD.

These past seasons also featured some unlikely runway models such as the younger Kardashian/Jenner sisters Kylie and Kendall modeling for brands such as Abbey Dawn, Avril Lavigne's line and recently Sherri Hill. Other guests include Kristie Alley, among other celebrities.

Some controversial topics that occurred last year was Vogue Italia that was 'lost in translation' with a certain product in their "Shop the Trends" section where they sold Slave Earrings, which they changed to 'Ethnic Earrings' a couple of hours later following a large amount of backlash.

Another topic that caught my eye was political leaders becoming fashion icons once again. The last we saw of a fashionable politcal leader or a princess perhaps that has driven sales and become an icon in just a few months. Michelle Obama and Kate Middleton are the top contenders with their classic, simple and elegant charm, a refreshing sight from the youth of today and their constant need to top each other by wearing less and less.
Luckily we have these ladies to inspire a look that we most certainly need back.

Paris fashion week was in for a real surprise when Zhaia Dehar a former teen prostitute who was involved a famous French footballer showed her lingerie collection at Paris Couture Week which was well received considering her past endeavors. She is also said to be Karl Lagerfeld's new muse.

Love, Petra

Enquiries: +852 2117 1782 | info@kanchancouture.com

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THEN AND NOW

Fashion is always changing and thats one of the reasons why I love it. New trends coming into play and old trends regaining popularity.

A lot has changed since fashion became a multi billion dollar industry and lately with fast fashion brands such as Zara and H&M coming into the picture fashion is becoming more accessible and more affordable.
I remember reading an article about Zara's collections and how they produce up to 2 collections every week and their success lies in the ability to adapt to quick changes in fashion. With over 200 designers and over 1000 stores worldwide fast fashion stores have changed fashion drastically.
Before stores such as these became popular it was hard to find items that were trendy and affordable. Once fast fashion took off the industry was booming with stores popping up all over the world from different areas such as Cotton On from Australia.Trends these days are moving quicker than ever with new designers on the rise and creating more and more. Because production is cheaper in large amounts, stores create more merchandise than regular stores to accommodate their large amount of clientele.

A couple of decades ago fashion was only accessible to those that had money, prior to the 19th century clothing was custom created by tailors and seamstresses especially for certain people and when new technologies came about in the 20th century such as the sewing machine and production and manufacturing system it created more jobs, more clothes and more demand for fashion. Royalty all over the world in China, India, Europe all had custom tailored garments because thats all that was available, now custom tailored garments are deemed couture or one of a kind and means a lot more than it did before, status wise.

I've been working here for 2 years now and I've seen our items develop and especially our jewellery collections that are moving at a very rapid pace I can't keep up!

The last clothing line we created was our Islamic Fashion Festival line and because we only created a 10 piece collection they were created by a tailor who we worked closely with, regularly meeting her to check up on our designs and adding extra touches.

A couple of months ago we launched our online webshop so that we are readily available all over the world. Not only has fashion fashion totally blown up in stores but online as well. More people are purchasing online due to the convenience and hassle free shopping experience. Shoppers are able to browse, watch catwalk shows of the item their interested in and have it sent to you doorstep within 2 weeks or less.

Check out our E-shop here!

Love, Petra

Enquiries: +852 2117 1782 | info@kanchancouture.com

KC | SHOP | TUMBLR | FB | TWITTER | BRIDAL

High society is back in Milan

Milan Fashion Week is drawing to a close so it would seem the perfect time for reflection. The Autumn/Winter 2010/2011 collections have all be worth the wait. With fashion suffering in the hands of the economy last year, this season welcomes back high society with designers opting for plush, sexy, bold styles and materials. The omnipresence of fur played towards this high society, luxury feel, while also placing particular emphasis on sexiness. The Prada collection appeared particularly bold and sexy, with dresses with fitted bodices and ruffles delineated busts adding drama.

Designers mixed and layered leather, fur and wool on clothes and at times looked to draw inspiration from male wardrobes. Some of the stand outs this week include Dolce and Gabbana’s swish tailoring, Roberto Cavalli’s daring furs, and modern day ballet from Versus.

Despite there appearing to be a pick up in the economy this year, Ken Downing, fashion director at Neiman Marcus, made the point that it is still vitally important that the designer thinks of the women who can afford to buy the clothes going up and down the runway. In light of this, designers showcasing in Milan seem to have opted for an evolution of style and design, rather than a revolution. This could easily have resulting in cautious, safe designs but what has transpired was, instead, a bold mix of colour, fur and sexiness which has fired up womenswear and will hopefully inspire women to seek newness for their wardrobes.

Now we just have to wait a few months for the collections to filter down and come our way. But with it all looking this good, who's complaining!

What is for the future of Couture??

I was reading an article in the Financial Times and it made me think. Yet again the question on everyone’s lips at the moment is what is the future of Couture? With clients becoming more demanding of wearable, accessible collections, is the grandeur and ceremony associated with couture clothing really necessary anymore? The traditionalists say ‘yes’ and I would tend to agree. Couture is the expression, liberation and freedom that designers need to truly express their creativity and imagination. From there, these outrageous ideas and concepts are filtered down to the ready-to-wear and, from there, the high street trends. What happens now in couture determines what everyone will be wearing in years to come.

However, these couture collections often resemble museum pieces and rarely reflect the needs and wants of the ultimate consumer. The couturiers intentions may come into question. Is making a public statement solely about beauty, technique and creativity without consideration for the lifestyles of the woman beneath really enough? Couture clothes are works of art, items to inspire while making a statement and when you are up there with the likes of Christian Dior, Valentino, and Chanel, you can afford artistic license to be creative with couture safe in the knowledge that clients will come. But couture clothing is not main-stream and everyday women cannot see themselves in the feathers, beading, lace and ruffles that make up the elaborate styles. When you are a growing fashion business in a buyers’ market, you have to produce and provide items that women can see themselves wearing.

We love creating glamorous, unique, couture pieces, but to keep up with the client’s needs and to grow as a business it is essential to expand and branch into new avenues. For us, this will involve bringing out a new collection in March of ready to wear items. Watch this space for more detail.

We’re ready to take on a new world.....

www.kanchancouture.com

Singapore Fashion Festival - Asia WOW

Asia Wow ~ An Asian fashion sensation with Raffles City

Raffles City wowed audiences with the original, indigenous creations of Asian fashion designers.
In conjunction with the Singapore Fashion Festival, which happens from 28 March to 6 April 2008, Raffles City showcased young Asian fashion talents from Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore.
The designers, Kanchan from Hong Kong (www.kanchancouture.com), Kiata Kwanda from Indonesia (www.kiatakwanda.com), Jun Escario from the Philippines (www.junescario.com) and our very own Teddy Or Beng Hua.